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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Charlotte Hadfield

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum vows to 'never say goodbye' to daughter in eulogy

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum said she will "never say goodbye" to her daughter in a heartbreaking eulogy.

Cheryl Korbel paid tribute to nine-year-old Olivia as she opened her funeral service at St Margaret Mary's Catholic Church in Knotty Ash this morning. Olivia's coffin arrived at the church in a horse-drawn carriage as Cheryl entered the church clutching a pink teddy in her daughter's memory.

In an emotional eulogy read out at the service, Cheryl said Olivia "loved to sing and dance" and "would talk for England."

READ MORE: Olivia Pratt-Korbel's funeral service as murdered nine-year-old laid to rest

Cheryl told how Olivia was born six weeks early and spent nine days in a special baby unit. She said: "She was so small yet even as a newborn she had her own mind."

Hundreds of people lined the streets for Olivia's funeral (Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

Cheryl described her daughter as "independent" and said even as a toddler she would choose her own clothes. She said: "Although she loved sparkle and glitz she would never go overboard and she was very particular, even down to her socks.

"Olivia was very chatty and bubbly and would talk for England, to the point we thought she had Duracell batteries inside her somewhere.

"Olivia loved to sing and dance. She'd always be singing along to songs she enjoyed, especially when we would be driving in the car and she would always be in charge of the CD player."

Cheryl said Olivia had a great imagination and would mimic her family. She continued: "Olivia knew exactly how to wrap people around her little finger to get what she wanted, especially her brother Ryan and sister Chloe.

"She would often give them a cheeky smile and they would give in instantly."

Nine-year-old Olivia loved animals and would put the family dog Gizmo in a pram. Cheryl said: "She would have made a great lawyer as she had an answer for everything."

Concluding the eulogy, Cheryl said: "Liv touched so many people's hearts and was loved and adored by everyone.

"She will never be forgotten. I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, love you, see you in the morning."

The service was held at St Margaret Mary's Catholic Church in Knotty Ash at 11am today and will be followed by a private burial and wake. Mourners have been asked to wear a splash of pink in Olivia's memory.

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